Chauffeur or gatecrasher? Westminster row as Phil Wilson accuses James Wharton of hijacking jobs photocall for THIS pic

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson angry that Stockton South Tory rival failed to inform him he was dropping by for ministerial visit

James Wharton with local government minister Brandon Lewis at the Hitachi site

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Stockton South MP James Wharton has been accused of gatecrashing a neighbouring constituency - by taking part in a ministerial visit to celebrate thousands of jobs coming to the area.

It is an unwritten rule that MPs inform a colleague if they intend to visit their seat.

But Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson claims Mr Wharton failed to do so when touring the Hitachi site in Newton Aycliffe on Monday.

In the House of Commons yesterday Labour MP Mr Wilson asked Conservative Mr Wharton to "put the record straight and apologise to the house" after he insisted his only role was to "drop off" local government minister Brandon Lewis.

Phil Wilson, back, with Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald

"It now appears in the local media that his role was more than that of a chauffeur, as the photographs suggest that he was an integral part of the visit," Mr Wilson added.

In response, Mr Wharton said he did not stay for the full visit.

"I dropped [the minister] off, spoke briefly to the media, got a quick photograph and left before the visit was complete."

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The speaker of the house, John Bercow, suggested to Mr Wharton that he use his "common sense" when dealing with similar matters in future.

"The question of how long a member was present on a particular visit is pretty immaterial," said Mr Bercow.

"I do not doubt that the honourable member for Stockton South is a first-class driver.

"I have not benefited from his skills in that regard over the years, but I have no reason to question that he would be a very satisfactory chauffeur.

"If in fact he took part in the visit, I think he must know the logic of that.

"I appeal to Members, particularly in this sensitive time in the run-up to a general election, to take care to observe not merely the letter but the spirit of the convention about prior notification."